James E. Porter, 79

James E. Porter James E. Porter passed away peacefully in his 79th year on Tuesday morning, January 28, 2014 at the Brown County Health & Living Community in Nashville. He was a life-long resident of Brown County.

James was born in Brown County on May 24, 1934 to his parents, the late Ray A. and Mary C. (Derringer) Porter. As a child, James was a survivor of the Polio virus which he contracted at the age of 14 months. He spent many months at Riley Hospital in Indianapolis with his parents and siblings not being allowed to visit very often. James went on to graduate from Helmsburg High School in 1953. He married Barbara Ann Hayworth on December 11, 1955 at the Spurnica Baptist Church in Brown County. She preceded him in death on July 13, 2013.

James retired after 30 years of service as an Assembly Worker from General Motors Truck and Bus Plant in Indianapolis. He was a member of the United Auto Workers Union Local 23 in Indianapolis. James was also a founding member of the Brown County Antique Machinery Association and was one of the volunteers who helped clear the land for the Brown County 4-H Fairgrounds in 1972. He also attended the Unity Baptist church during the 1960s and ‘70s.

James is survived by his children, Michael (Christy) Porter of Spencer and Stephanie Kritzer of Brown County. Other survivors include his siblings, Thelma Mae (Gene) Arvin of Indianapolis, Lois (Marlow) Sanders of Brown County, Audrey Anna (Harold) Beasley of Indianapolis and William Allen Porter of Brown County; five grandchildren, Mandy Porter of Ellettsville, Kristopher (Nicole) Kritzer of Brownsburg, David James Porter of Spencer, Steven Porter of Cloverdale and Kaitlyn Kritzer of Brown County; and several nieces and nephews.

James was preceded in death by a brother, Leo Porter; and a sonin law, Kendall Kritzer.

He enjoyed participating in tractor shows with his Allis Chalmers tractors, and spending time with his family.

The Rev. Jeff Tryon will conduct a funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Saturday at Meredith-Clark Funeral Home Cremation & Personalization Center, 179 East Mulberry Street in Morgantown. Friends may call from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home. Burial will be at Weeping Willow Cemetery in Bean Blossom.

Memorial contributions may be sent in honor of James to the Brown County Antique Machinery Association, P.O. Box 308, Morgantown, IN 46160.